Marion's last-second 3-pointer upends Milligan 71-69

After trailing at the half, Rams come from behind to win late in game.

January 10, 2012

Bluefield College Athletics

Sports Information Department

Bluefield, Virginia

Johnson City, Tenn.- Fresh off the AAC Player of the Week award recognition, Kearsten Marion drained a last-second three-pointer to help lift Bluefield over Milligan 71-69 on the road in AAC action on Monday night in Tennessee.

The Rams knew no AAC game would be an easy one this year, and Monday's contest held true to the fact. After Bluefield jumped out to a 7-3 in the opening minutes, the Buffaloes got a pair of baskets to help Milligan take a 9-7 lead four minutes in. On top of that, Milligan escaped to a 9-0 run gaining an 18-10 lead, but the Rams closed as the gap as Milligan led 22-20 at the midpoint of the half.

Bluefield hit unchartered territory at the break, as they trailed for the first time at the midpoint for the first time by an opponent in more than six games. The disadvantage wouldn't stop the Rams in the second half though.

After Bluefield went on a run to take a 50-49 lead with 12 minutes on the clock, freshman Mcleod hit a jumper and then assisted on a DeVault score to put the Buffaloes back in front. Yet again, the game got evened up at 61-61 apiece on a Ram 3-pointer.

The Rams extended their lead to five points, but a pair of free throws from Sitton and baskets from Seymour and DeVault gave Milligan a 66-65 lead with 3:13 left as part of a 6-0 run. DeVault increased the lead with a pair of free throws with 2:37 left in the game, and then added another to give the Buffaloes a 69-65 lead entering the game's final minute.

During the final minute of the game, Bluefield went 3-for-4 from the line (1 of 2 by Carpenter in the final 12 seconds), and then saw AAC Player of the week Kearsten Marion drain a 3-pointer to give the Rams a 71-69 lead with five seconds left. Marion's effort was not unusual as the Junior point guard was lights out from the field (9-15) and from behind the 3-point arc (5-6).

The Buffaloes were unable to convert a last second possession to force extra time.

Bluefield has now won two years in a row on Milligan's home court, and the win extended their win total to 12 on the season. Bluefield sits at 5-0 in the AAC and was listed as "receiving votes" on the NAIA national poll rankings for the first time all season.

Bluefield will travel to North Carolina on Wednesday for another tough challenge when they face Montreat College before heading home for a matchup on Saturday versus Bryan College (Tenn.).